Who wins in U-20 Japan vs. Blue Lock? Explained

Blue Lock vs U-20 Japan, more commonly referred to as Blue Lock season 2, is currently ongoing. It is adapting one of the series' fan-favorite arcs, the U-20 Japan arc. The arc features Team Blue-Lock going against the official under-twenty team of Japan in hopes of proving that Project Blue Lock is a game-changer. However, which one of these teams wins this grand match?

Team Blue-Lock wins the match with a goal from Isagi Yoichi in extra time, concluding the scoreline with 4-3 against U-20 Japan. Even though the entire play of the team was centered around the protagonist, it would be unfair to call everyone else the underliers. This match was revolutionary for everyone as it led to the start of the Neo-Egoist League.

Disclaimer: This article contains potential spoilers from the Blue Lock manga series.

Blue Lock vs U-20 Japan: Explaining the conclusion of this match

Nagi's unrealistic goal as seen in the anime (Image via 8bit)

The match commenced with Team Blue-Lock dominating in possession as they didn't let the opposition get ahold of possession, Unfortunately, the tide of the game changed once Itoshi Sae got the ball. After passing the ball three times to his teammates, Sae scored a wonderous goal from the corner (BL 0-1 U-20).

Although the goal increased the pressure, the opposition team didn't give up. Eventually, the ball landed at the feet of Nagi, who scored with an unrealistic trap shot (BL 1-1 U-20), putting a zip in everyone's mouth. With the score now equalized, the tension looked high on both sides and everyone was soaring to score a goal.

Itoshi Rin's goal as seen in the manga (Image via Kodansha)

Team Blue-Lock was back in action with Niko and Chigiri taking hold of the field. A few minutes before the half-time whistle, Rin crossed Oliver Aiku and scored a stunner goal (BL 2-1 U-20). Even though Sae tried his best to score a goal, the half-time whistle was blown.

Backstage, Sae was ready to leave because he didn't see potential in his team. However, Aiku, as the team's captain, admitted that they were weak and wanted Sae to unleash Shidou. Before the play resumed, the flashback of Rin and Sae was showcased where Sae was much more of a cherry child who cherished Rin and both of them shared the dream of becoming the best striker.

Rin then received the offer to play for Real Madrid and had to leave. When he returned, Rin noticed a new ego inside him as Sae announced that he was now pursuing to become the best midfielder, not striker. These two then separated their paths as Sae took the international route and Rin was left in Japan.

Shidou's goal as seen in the manga (Image via Kodansha)

Blue Lock then returned to the match where the second half commenced with Shidou joining the players after a substitution. As expected, the tide of the match was changed and Shidou wreaked havoc. Even though Niko tried his best to stop Shidou, the Blue-Lock player was given a yellow card and U-20 Japan won a free-kick.

Sae took the freekick which landed at the feet of Shidou who scored with an overhead kick (BL 2-2 U-20 Japan). Chigiri and Niko were then substituted and Reo and Hiyori entered the team. Fortunately, Team Blue-Lock again won the possession but the ball eventually landed in the feet of Shidou, who was standing in the middle of the field.

Itoshi Rin as seen in the manga (Image via Kodansha)

Before Shidou could receive the ball, he jumped and scored with a bicycle kick from the midfield (BL 2-3 U-20 Japan), startling everyone from the opposition team. With Team Blue-Lock left with no choice, Isagi asked Ego for his input as he was desperate to win. So, Ego Jinpachi took a gamble. He substituted Otoya and brought Barou to the team (turning the team into an offensive gameplay).

Barou had only one strategy, to devour Isagi Yoichi and follow him. As the game revolved around Isagi, Barou kept getting the ball in dangerous positions. Eventually, when the pieces met, Barou scored with a volley (BL 3-3 U-20 Japan) but was awarded a yellow card for taking his shirt off. During the final moments, Isagi utilized his Metavision to the maximum.

Isagi sealing the win of Team Blue-Lock (Image via Kodansha)

However, it had one missing piece which the protagonist couldn't find. Bachira volunteered to become that missing piece but he failed. Rin, amidst all this, went berserk and pulled his tongue out due to extreme focus, adamant on scoring a goal. After the match's time finished, one minute was added as extra time and it was anyone's game.

In a final deadlock between Rin and Sae, the former, instinctively, passed the ball to Isagi. It was then revealed that the final missing piece Isagi needed was luck and utilized Rin's pass to score a goal with a fiery volley (BL 4-3 U-20), sealing the win for Team Blue-Lock.

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Edited by Tiasha